Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Hah Hah - that's cool SilverEIGHT !

SilverEIGHT

Detrich, The screwing you are referring to is only for the first time. After that it's just a snapping under the wheelwells clipping in a few spots and pulling velcro strips around to snug up. It really is a simple installation. Let me know if you need any assistance and I'll see what I can do to help.

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Thanks Nemesis8!

Detrich

oh i c... u just replace the factory screws with other screws that allow for snapping on the mask. gotcha. hey, thanks for the quick reply. i'm going to be putting the mask on after i wash, 3m swirl remove, and wax the front end. will let u know how it goes. thanks again

SilverEIGHT

Hey Detrich, don't leave it on all the time. Just use it for trips, tracking and such or it will wear your paint off.

KAtC10

I second that. That's all I use mine for.

Detrich

right on. thanks for the tips guys i'm only going to use it for our club meets and canyon runs. i never got any rock chips until just this last time. i touched them up for the most part, but i just don't want to get any more... i never have that problem driving in the city and/ or freeways- just on the canyon run last time. but, once is one too many for me!

SilverEIGHT

Detrich, post a pic! I want to see what a black mask on black looks like.

KAtC10

Can you see it well enough here?





Sorry for the grainy-ness, I cropped it from the first pic.

My only problem with mine has been an issue with the tabs that go in the top of the grill, they come out when I'm at the track and I always have to push them back in. Small price to pay for protection if you ask me.

SilverEIGHT

Actually, that's pretty nice! You really don't see it that much. Is that blue tint on the headlights just in the image or a clear tinted protector?

Detrich

woot! that does look sweet.

and, if mazda had put some thought into it and sewed their logo on the front where the logo gets covered up- instead of the stupid rx-8 lettering- then it would've looked even more un-noticeable. (apparently, they don't pay attention to the details i guess.)

i haven't had time to get to it yet. but, i'll post pics when i put it on- prolly in a week or so. thanks again guys.

KAtC10

Actually, I don't know where the blue came from. Random. I don't have anything on them. But yeah, I like it on the black, very un-noticable. I'm not sure I'd have done it on another color.

And I totally agree, having no logo where the Mazda logo is is stupid, cause you get the bump from it under the bra. I could live without the "RX-8" lettering. But, no one asked us when they made it!

SilverEIGHT

I think they should have put clear plastic over the headlights. I think someone else has mentioned that before.

Detrich

is it just me, or did the rest of u guys find the button screws kinda ugly looking and awkward to install? for one, they could've colored the screws black to match the stock plastic ones for when u don't have the mask on. and, second, only the middle screw is still "stock" and now has to hold everything down. (the button screws don't actually 'screw' down to anything like the plastic bezzeled ones do. go figure.)

SilverEIGHT

Detrich, I do agree that black would look better when the mask is taken off. I didn't find the button screws awkward to install or ugly. I was actually suprised at how easy the installation went. The button screws do attach to metal clips that are supplied with the mask and attach quite firmly. I forget the reason the one OEM plastic clip is not replaced but I suspect it is because a snap was not required at that location to hold the mask down properly. Did you get the metal clips with your package?

Paul_in_DC

So far the tracks I've run have been clean enough that I didn't need a bra. I taped the lights this last time purely out of paranoia.

Detrich

thanks silver. yah, i used the metal clips and installed them correctly. the snap screws screw into the metal clip. but, there is nothing actually pinning down the metal clip except that it's clipped to the pastic fold. so, over time it could potentially weigh down or warp the plastic and become looser-fitting...

by comparison, the base of the stock plastic bezzel screw set actually pins down and firmly seats into the metal hole of the car fender well and won't be moving around. the metal clip's only security is the fact that it's fastened to the plastic flap. in order for the flat side of the metal clip to be on the outside, the angled side faces down, and the edge of the clip adds a tiny extra thickness at the edge of the clip point, which means a VERY CAREFUL install, unless u want to scratch up the paint on the inner edge of the wheel well.

these are minor details, but i just expected a better design & thought-out mask attachment from mazda, i suppose.

once i wash + wax my car, i'll put on the bra. I just had some rock chips professionally touched up this week at Eckles Auto Body over in Whittier, so am waiting a bit for the painted/ polished to settle before rushing to wash it. (they did a really good job too.)

i definitely am still going to usethe nose mask though, and am looking forward to having it for the next time i drive in the canyons. thanks again for your help and i'll post some pictures once i get it on.

Detrich

Ok, so I finally installed this thing. It was harder than I thought- 'cuz it hasn't been stretched out yet.

Here are some pictures, as promised... Check out the Malibu Cruise for more meet pictures from 8.5.2006.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...page=132&pp=15

SilverEIGHT

Looks good Detrich. They say you should leave it in the sun to heat up for a while to soften it up. I don't have any problem with mine. She goes back on this weekend as I have another NASA event to participate in at Road Atlanta. Strapping on the mask always get's my blood rushing because it's time to head to the track!

knight7

iTrader: (1)

they should have a bra for the back of the car, that way you get less scratches on the bumper when you park on the street, but then i wont be called a bra, maybe a thong or boxers depending on whats your cars sexual preference...

Detrich

Auto Pampers sounds more like it...

KrysyGT

Old thread revived- But does anyone know of a bra that will work with the factory appearance package?

I make frequent long distance trips and participate in various "runs". I really would like to get something to protect my front end. Especially when they start to salt the roads up here in the winter time. I despise clear bra for the sheer fact of it looks like garbage once it starts getting chipped.

Thanks for any help!

SilverEIGHT

KrysyGT, I'm not sure this is a good alternative for winter if you are thinking of leaving it on your car. The salt/sand/dirt/grim/wet crud that could get underneath the mask could do damage to your paint. I think the clear mask is probably your best bet.

KrysyGT

I would def not leave it on in the winter or anytime really. It would only go on after a good wash down when I need to drive far or after the roads are just salted then come right off once I get where I need to be or home.


Thanks for the concern! :tup:

Socr8tes

The Mazda mask comes in two versions - w/ or w/o appearance package.

KAtC10

I have the Mazda one with appearance package. Fits good, but tends to get a bit loose after multiple times putting it on and taking it off. But it's better than rock chips on the front end. Just make sure you wash well before putting it on.